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Mutant Huntingtin Does Not Affect the Intrinsic Phenotype of Human Huntington's Disease T Lymphocytes.

Abstract
Huntington's disease is a fatal neurodegenerative condition caused by a CAG repeat expansion in the huntingtin gene. The peripheral innate immune system is dysregulated in Huntington's disease and may contribute to its pathogenesis. However, it is not clear whether or to what extent the adaptive immune system is also involved. Here, we carry out the first comprehensive investigation of human ex vivo T lymphocytes in Huntington's disease, focusing on the frequency of a range of T lymphocyte subsets, as well as analysis of proliferation, cytokine production and gene transcription. In contrast to the innate immune system, the intrinsic phenotype of T lymphocytes does not appear to be affected by the presence of mutant huntingtin, with Huntington's disease T lymphocytes exhibiting no significant functional differences compared to control cells. The transcriptional profile of T lymphocytes also does not appear to be significantly affected, suggesting that peripheral immune dysfunction in Huntington's disease is likely to be mediated primarily by the innate rather than the adaptive immune system. This study increases our understanding of the effects of Huntington's disease on peripheral tissues, while further demonstrating the differential effects of the mutant protein on different but related cell types. Finally, this study suggests that the potential use of novel therapeutics aimed at modulating the Huntington's disease innate immune system should not be extended to include the adaptive immune system.
AuthorsJames R C Miller, Ulrike Träger, Ralph Andre, Sarah J Tabrizi
JournalPloS one (PLoS One) Vol. 10 Issue 11 Pg. e0141793 ( 2015) ISSN: 1932-6203 [Electronic] United States
PMID26529236 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
Chemical References
  • HTT protein, human
  • Huntingtin Protein
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
Topics
  • Adaptive Immunity
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Huntingtin Protein
  • Huntington Disease (immunology, pathology)
  • Immunity, Innate
  • Male
  • Mutation
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins (genetics, immunology)
  • T-Lymphocytes (immunology, pathology)

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